Ring Road Project Now Over Rs. 53Bn — Cost Tripled Since 2004
The revised cost of the long-delayed Rawalpindi Ring Road project has surged past Rs. 53 billion, more than three times its original budget. The Punjab Planning and Development Board is expected to formally approve this Rs6 billion increase in the first week of February.
From Rs17B to Rs53B: Timeline of Revisions
Initially approved in 2004 during the tenure of then-Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the 38.3-kilometre six-lane Ring Road was estimated to cost Rs17 billion. Two decades and several delays later, the cost has climbed due to rising construction prices, design enhancements, and expanding scope. Officials estimate the final figure could exceed Rs55 billion by completion.
Current Progress and Key Works
Construction is in its final phases:
- Roughly 80% of road carpeting is complete, with some sections already in use
- All major bridges, including the railway bridge, are finished
- A new Thalian Interchange estimated at Rs5 billion, is under construction, linking directly to the motorway network
- Plantation, signage, and beautification efforts are underway along both sides of the route
Design, Land Acquisition and Economic Planning
The controlled-access corridor features five interchanges: Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian and service roads on both sides for local traffic. Authorities have acquired 8,992 kanals of private land for the project, with additional land allocated for future industrial and commercial development.
Plots along the Ring Road have already been released for multi-storey commercial buildings and industrial zones, aiming to spark economic activity in the surrounding region.
Project Launch and Future Impact
The Rawalpindi Commissioner has directed teams to complete carpeting, activate all bridges, and wrap up beautification by April 30. A formal inauguration is expected in the first week of May.
Once operational, the Ring Road is set to ease traffic congestion in Rawalpindi, enhance connectivity with Islamabad and nearby districts, and support future urban expansion. However, the recurring cost escalations reflect persistent challenges in managing large-scale infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
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